The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-07-14
QUEER CASE.
Ito Wise Man That Don't Know HIs Own
Brother.


During the trial Of the tramps John
Cassiday and Thomas Delaney, employed
as fireman and brskemen on the Ft.
Wayne road, and both residents OF
Beaver, Pa, happened to visit the COURT
room, where they at once recognized
James Hart, one Of the defendants, as
former resident OF their town. They
did not have an opportunity to talk
with him but were morally certain Of
his identity. On arriving In Beaver
Csssiday Immediately informed Richard
Hart, q brother Of the convicted tramp,
Of the troubles Of his brother. Richard
took but little stock In the story at the
time, but when 1t was corrOborated by
Delaney be felt 1t his duty to come to
Canton and investigate for himself.
Yesterday (Frlday) afternoon he arrived
In this city from Beaver and called at
the jail. he informed Sheriff Lsininger
that he had been told that his
brother, James Hart, was one
of the prisoners convicted and sentenced
TO the penitentiaTy under the tramp act,
and that he would like to see him. At
the REQUEST Of the Sheriff he infinitely
described the prisoner, being absolutely
correct In every particular. TIE pris'
0ner was then brought down TO the
Office. Robert Immediately Unidentified
the prisoner as his brother James and
could not conceal his grief. he seemed
to take 1t very much TO heart that his
brother should come to such sad con.
ditiOn and gave expression to his s0r
row and affection by crying and sobbing.
James sat there as cold as block OF Ice,
I'D hat ha Vno N hFnfhnr
OF the visitor and had never seen him
before. The visitOr tried 10 vain 10 have
him recognize him, but he stuck TO 1t
that he had never met his ciller before.
Richard put number Of questions to
James but the latter pretended to know
nothing Of the matters asked about.
His conduct was 80 unnatural that q
suspicion was aroused In the minds OF
the officers thaE 1t was case OF mlsts-
ken identity. This was suggested to
the Bssverite, but he said he could not
be mistaken.
why" sai1 he, "if Jim had been away
for eight or ten years might be con-
vinced that o mistake would be posi-
ble, but he has not been away from home
more than eighteen months. No, !
can't be mistaken"
To test the matter further the officers
asked the man II he knew Of any scars on
the person Of his brother which he could
desCIi ib.. After thinking the matter
over he said that there was a small scar
on his left instep, the result Of bad
coil. An examination was made
Of the foot, but there was no scar
there. This strengthened the suspicion
that the man was mistaken, bat
Insisted that he was not. When he
went to take his leave he asked the
prisoner what he could do for him, In.
sisting that he was willing
to do anything In his power
for him. The tramp re-
piled that he was not his brother and
expected nothing and wanted nothing
from him. "WslI," said the man from
Beaver, ~ did not suppose you would
aver refuse to recognize your brother.
What will tell mother and sister when
20 home?" James didn't seem to care
what he told them. Richard then asked
him to accept him as frieDd II he
would not admit that he was brOlhsr,
and enQuired II there was anything be
needed. He ss ked him II he wss out of
tobacco, and being informed that such
was the case, went out to a tobacco
store and laid In big supply Of both
smoking and chewing tobacco.
Richard Hart was found by
q DEMOCRAT reporter to whom
he talked without reserve.
He looks like q hard working man,
about twenty-five years Of age, and has
an expression of cOuntenance which In
some respects resemble the man he
claims is his brother. He says that the \
family lives In Beaver and that he
works In an iron mill. He said bis
brother left home a year ago last Decem
Der for Ft. Wayne where he secured
employment In chair factory. Since
that time they have had number Of
letters from him, the last one bearing
date of May 2Sth.
II is certainly very peculiar case |
II the prisoner. James Hart, Is not the
James Hart who lives In Beaver, he GER
tainly must bear very close Tesem
blsnce to deceive a brother and two
men who have known him from child. |
hood. II he is brother what motive
can he have in refusing to recogniz-
and accept of assis.ance from his own
people In his present tr0ublep
Hart gave himself away slightly after
being returned to hia apartment by
dropping remark to the effect that he
did not want his mother and sister to